Seattle World Cup match: Weather, traffic cameras and how to get there

All right, take two.

Fans will pour into Pioneer Square and Seattle Stadium again Friday for the city's second World Cup match as the U.S. faces off against Australia at noon, and you can make an easy bet there'll be even more people on trains, buses, sidewalks and streets turning out for team USA.

Lines reached an hourlong wait around stadium-adjacent light rail stations after Seattle's inaugural match between Egypt and Belgium on Monday, making for the third-highest volume light rail has ever carried. And Sound Transit expects even more riders Friday when a Mariners game will punctuate the sports day at 7 p.m.

So, will you glean any lessons from Monday's game - whether you're headed to or from the game, fan zones or bars - and travel any differently? Here's a rundown to inform your strategy.

If you're planning on driving: First off, no, you're not. There will be no parking at the stadium, and ride-hails will be routed away from the stadium.

Instead, commute by foot to get in the spirit of the game, and it'll make you impervious to public transit delays, too. The area around Seattle Stadium will turn into a pedestrian-only zone four hours before kickoff, so just about 8 a.m. for Friday's game.

Biking or scootering might also be a good idea. The wheels are allowed in the pedestrian-only zone, but officials encourage you to walk them to their designated parking corrals.

Or, take light rail. It's still running through the city core. King County Metro buses will also run a match-day shuttle between Seattle Center and Seattle Stadium in addition to regular buses. Washington State Ferries and Kitsap Transit fast ferries will paddle across Puget Sound.

If you're trying to beat the line, walk to one of Sound Transit's preferred stations for easy access to the stadium: International District/Chinatown, King Street and Pioneer Square. But know that scooters and bikes aren't allowed on Link or Sounder trains on game days.

You could also walk farther or take a Lime bike or scooter to another station down the line, said Ethan Bergerson, Seattle Department of Transportation spokesperson. Or, let the crowd die down and take a moment to enjoy the pedestrian-only zone, grab a bite to eat or peruse the waterfront.

It'll be a better day for it than Monday. You might have the day off from work for Juneteenth, and temperatures will be less sweltering than Egypt vs. Belgium when it reached a record 90 degrees, but the blue skies might still be confusing for our visitors who picture Seattle with rain and coffee.

Temperatures will be about 10 degrees cooler than Monday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Michalski, but fans will still get sweaty temperatures in the mid-70s to lower 80s at game time with a moderate risk of sun illness for people sensitive to heat without means to cool themselves. And it'll be quite sunny.

If you've read all this and still feel compelled to drive your car, or are trying to circumnavigate the madness at game time as you commute for the long weekend, you can scope out the city streets with these traffic cameras before you go.

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 4:54 PM.